"Be nice, anyway it's about Quistis." She started then looked up as the bedroom door opened. Irvine lumbered out of the room like a bear just wakened from hibernation.
He was clad only in boxers and was unceremoniously scratching his rear with frightening determination. He was oblivious to all but the refrigerator he was heading towards.
"Hon whatever you're digging for is gone for good or there to stay." Rinoa said with a huge grin. He jumped with fright upon hearing Rinoa.
"Hyne have mercy!" Shouting in shock he nearly tripped over himself trying to run back to the bedroom. The two girls looked at each other then collapsed into laughter.
Quistis stepped out of the shower; it woke her up but did little to improve her mood. Wrapping herself in a towel she sat on the edge the bed and gazed solemnly at the tall mirror that lay by her dresser.
She looked drawn, tired, and old beyond her years. The word spinster came to mind and she nearly wanted to cry.
"You're being irrational. Things were fine until recently. The party just brought up bad memories." She told herself reasonably.
She looked in the mirror, scowled then threw a pillow at it.
"Liar." She hissed.
With a heavy sigh she got dressed, put her hair in a ponytail and headed out the door.
It was past ten and the gymnasium was starting to get crowded. Fujin had stayed far longer than she normally did and she was aware of people watching her.
Annoyed with the unwanted attention she settled the weights she'd been using back onto the bench. Her chest and arms screamed in protest at the abuse.
Though short in stature, she was wiry and nimble, built for speed and power rather simple brute force like her foolish brother.
With a sigh she rolled her shoulders to loosen them then stood. She decided to take a quick jog before lunch and headed for the exit.
As she was leaving a young man approached her. He was a good deal taller than her and solidly built, with short-cropped black hair.
She'd seen him before, he was the new head disciplinary committee. The very thought made her want to retch and her disdain was clearly visible.
"You're Fujin?" He said flatly and folded his arms.
She read more than enough from his body language to tell of his hostile intent and she considered several strategies to take him down before he even finished his statement.
"AFFIRMATIVE" She said glaring up at him.
"You used to be on the committee?" He said snidely as another youth appeared behind him.
This one was as tall as Kinneas and built like a bull, unlike his friend however he didn't seem to intent on causing trouble. She eyed the two calmly.
"CORRECT." She answered mildly, but was already coiling for attack if prompted. Already in a dire mood she had no intention to put up with adolescent bullshit, especially from this upstart. The stranger smirked humorlessly.
"Ah good, well then, I'm Luccian. In case you didn't know I'm the new head of the committee. I keep things in order around here"
Fujin wasn't sure if she was supposed to be impressed or not but she found his statement laughable.
"Now, I recall a few years back you and your boyfriend used to make life a living hell for me and my friends."
He huffed and the youth behind him chuckled slightly. She had the sudden urge to throttle him senseless but dismissed it. She scowled wishing he would make his point.
"Well, it seems times have changed and Seifer's not here anymore to protect you. You'd do good to keep on guard" Luccian said dangerously and moved closer to in an attempt to intimidate her with his height.
"A THREAT?" Fujin said sourly.
"A PROMISE." He said mockingly, then emphasized the point by jabbing his finger into her chest.
By the time Quistis arrived at the cafeteria the line was well into the hall. With a groan she accepted her fate and took her place in line. After several minutes she felt a presence come up behind her.
"Shit" She thought sourly.
"First thing in the morning too, this is going to be hell of a day." She put on her best, good morning; I'm not a wreck face and turned around.
"Squall." She said dryly, her suspicions confirmed.
Squall said nothing.
"Bless him, he's an idiot sometimes." She thought with a smile and waiting for whatever gibberish he was about to spout, figuring Rinoa sent him.
"Here's the new student roster for first quarter you wanted." He said simply.
"Usually Xu gives me this stuff Squall." She responded and took the file from his hands.
"Yes." He said blankly.
"Pardon?" She said sourly. She could usually read him like a book but now he was acting down right strange.
A commotion erupted somewhere in the distance catching their attention. Squall looked over his shoulder but the racket had already died down. He turned to look back at Quistis who glared at him.
"Anything something else?" She asked.
He blinked and frowned, he hated doing this kind of thing.
"Do you have a problem Quistis?" He said mechanically.
"What?" She said loudly.
Squall rubbed his temples this was going no where fast and she was being difficult.
"What I mean is. Are you in trouble?" He tried again
They were drawing a crowd, most of the news kids had only seen Squall when they first arrived, and to many he was a hero.
That combined with fact that Quistis's fan club watched them eagerly sidelines made him wish he were elsewhere.
"I said, what the hell are you implying!" Quistis said sharply snapping him back to reality.
"I'm not implying anything. I'm just." He said in growing aggravation.
"Squall so help me if you say your worried I am going slap you senseless." She thought angrily and set her jaw. He was making a spectacle out of the both of them.
"Now is not a good time for this Squall." She said evenly, her blue eyes flashing intently.